How to recycle your analogue TV

New Zealand television is going digital – but where do all those old analogue TVs go? Not into landfill we hope – they contain toxic materials like lead, mercury and cadmium which can leach into our waterways.

This government website tells you how you can recycle your old TV. Details of recycling locations will be on the site closer to the digital 'switchover' date. http://www.tvtakeback.govt.nz/

Key points

• It’ll cost you something, but the charge will be subsidised
• Glass is recycled in New Zealand and used in roading aggregate
• Glass funnel is also recycled overseas into new products containing glass
• Metals such as steel are melted down and made into new products such as construction material
• Copper wire is removed and recycled in New Zealand
• Circuit boards are recycled overseas
• Aluminium is removed and recycled in New Zealand
• Some material still goes to landfill